Without challengers, Lakewood City Council cancels March election

LAKEWOOD - The City Council voted Tuesday to cancel its March 5 election, saving the city between $80,000 to $100,000 in election costs, officials said.

With no challengers filing for the three open seats held by incumbents Steve Croft, Diane DuBois and Todd Rogers, each will be reappointed.

"I'm happy and flattered that no one chose to run against my colleagues and me," said DuBois in a statement. "I like to think that it means our fellow residents feel that we're doing a good job for them. I look forward to another term on the council working with all my colleagues to do the very best that we can for our community."

Also on Tuesday, the council reviewed a list of 20 applicants who filed papers to fill the seat of longtime Councilman Larry Van Nostran, who died Nov. 9.

During last week's meeting, the council agreed that if a selection were not made this week, another selection process would be put in place.

The council on Tuesday voted to create an Ad Hoc Committee to further review the applications. The committee, which will consist of Croft and Councilman Jeff Wood, will narrow the list to up to five finalists, which they will present to the full council for consideration on Dec. 27. Council members not on the committee will be allowed to add names to the final list if they choose.

According to state law, the council must make an appointment by Jan. 8 or schedule a special election for June 4 to fill the position necessitating the costs and process involved.

The new council member would hold office until March 24, 2015.

"I was impressed by the quantity and the quality of the applications we received, both from longtime civic leaders and average residents who want to serve their community," DuBois said. "The full range of applicants was really heartwarming to me in that it shows that Lakewood is full of smart, caring residents who are ready to serve their city. Our council has successfully used this Ad Hoc Committee process before with unique issues, and I'm hopeful it can help us with this subject too."